Cameras to capture underage drinkers

Police in Failsworth are to start using clip-on video cameras in a bid to combat underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and crime. Officers will be using the waterproof body cams, which can be clipped to an officer’s body armour and can store four hours of footage and film in poor light conditions. Parents can then be shown the footage. The cameras have been brought in as part of a joint-operation with Oldham council, Positive Steps, Tesco Failsworth, Street Pastors and Failsworth School.

Police in Failsworth are to start using clip-on video cameras in a bid to combat underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and crime.

Officers will be using the waterproof body cams, which can be clipped to an officer’s body armour and can store four hours of footage and film in poor light conditions. Parents can then be shown the footage. The cameras have been brought in as part of a joint-operation with Oldham council, Positive Steps, Tesco Failsworth, Street Pastors and Failsworth School.

Inspector Muz Kernain from the Failsworth and Hollinwood policing team said the cameras will be a great asset.

He said: "Residents have raised concerns about large groups of youths congregating in the car park area of Tesco, drinking alcohol and getting involved in antisocial behaviour. In response we have joined forces with the supermarket to crackdown on the problem."

Police will speak to young people about the consequences of getting involved in antisocial behaviour and seize alcohol where necessary. Youth workers from Positive Steps will talk to those young people found drinking, offering them advice and information about the consequences of excessive drinking.

Insp Kernain added: "Young people may see having a drink with their friends as a bit of fun but it is very often the root of antisocial behaviour such as noise nuisance and vandalism which can make the lives of people living in the vicinity an absolute misery.

"We also want to get across to young people that they are putting their safety at risk by binge drinking.

"Only last weekend a 13-year-old girl was so drunk she had to be hospitalised. We had no way of getting hold of her parents because she was incapable of telling us her address, phone number or even her name. This girl was lucky we were there to help as this could have had more severe consequences for her and her family."

The six cameras cost £4,000 and were paid for by Failsworth and Hollinwood district partnership.